PS

I did not use spell check below. Do not judge. I am a hurried girl and you are happy because I posted. It's a win/win. Be happy. There's no reason to never not be happy -you are alive today! Yet another day God has ordained for you and I to make the most of it and to give our happiness to others who have yet to realize our days are numbered.
Anyway, no spell check.

POLLEN COUNT 345,765

I am not the pollen meter but that is what it feels like. All spring I have been walking around wondering why I have yet to go to the hospital due to the yellow blanket that is covering Atlanta right now. usually this stuff puts me out but this year to my surprise....no effect...until yesterday at 7:45pm. I think I have since sneezed every 3rd second and in between my nose drips to the tip of my lip. Lovely, I know.
Claritin and all the drugs available for that matter do not a thing when this stuff gets in my body. And everything has started to taste funny too like my food has a plastic coating. Yikes, you say, it sounds more like some rare foreign disease and soon I should see spots and rings on my skin. I hope you are wrong. I have a low threshold for pain....I have started to taking pain pills now for when I may one day birth a child. (I dont like the way that sounded....does that mean I am not ready for kids yet...let's hope so.) Anywho, I am a baby when it comes to pain - though not a hypochondriac. I am not fond of you hypochondriacs either (with exception to Charlsie because I like her regimens and justifications for things when she is sick.)Otherwise, it seems I somehow always date these boys that are always hurting. My dad is like this says my mom. He plays basketball with the young fellas and then comes home limping and sore for days (he would kill me if he knew I said that over the www...he really is quite and athelete for being 50 (my dad is ONLY 50 - how cool is that?)....Anyway....

On other notes, Fran- my favorite and only Fran is in town for a mere 18 hours and I am so so happy and want to get home to play with her briefly before I leave for Nashvegas today. Fran reminds me of easier days at Greystone or on our porch in Charleston or lounging on thebeachesof Monterrey. Fran encompasses everything fabulous about the most fabulous person you know. I am really lucky to have her as a friend. She will be in my wedding if that is God's plan for me in fact to be married and we will sit in our 60's and talk about how cool our grandkids are....she's that kind of friend. Just to think she is at the Terrace now in my bed makes me smile. Okay, so gotta go so I can get out of here to hang out with her. We are going to Cafe at Pharr for lunch or maybe Souper Jenny. Look for the prettiest red head you have ever seen if you want to come get a glimpse of me being happy and my soulmate, Fran, having lunch together.

Enjoy your weekend! I'll be in Nashville on roller skates and in a tu-tu cheering on my marathon running friends.

The good stuff

I'm alive!
That's a good thing today not because I escaped some near death experience or anything just praise God that yet once again I woke up and was alive and had yet another day to try and glorify the One who gave me this day in all I do.

Start your day like this, really. Smile big in the mirror before you brush your teeth (please brush your teeth too in the morning...I cant tell you what bad breath does for society) smile big at the beautiful person in the mirror and say thank you God for yet another day to infect the lives of people all over the world for Your glory. That is the beautiful comforting simplicity of why we are created and why things big and small are really all small - we are part of a bigger story and what a glorious day when we fully realize this. Thank you God for this day! Thank you for all 75 trillion cells that compose my body right now and give me physical life and thank you for Christ that gives me spiritual life.


I don't need to say anything else.....I had a whole list of good stuff I wanted to tell you but I think that sums it up.





For those of you wondering though...here are a few of the ones that make the list right now:
-I am heading to one of my new favorite cities, Nashvegas this weekend with a bunch of my friends and I get to see my dear friend Leah! I can't wait.
-Thursday night Fran comes to town for a short visit - I love me some Fran...one of my oldest and dearest friends.
-I am going to see Mat Kearney tonight and I am slightly obsessed
- It is the end of the month and my numbers have started to pick up which is always good
-My brother is 23 today! Happy Birthday Dr. McDreamy.
-I got to play some tennis with the roommates lastnight and wear a tennis skirt. I love tennis skirts!
-2.5 weeks til WEST PALM BEACH!!!!
-I LOVE APRIL IN GEORGIA!!!! Everything is blooming and shining and the temperature is divine and the thunderstorms are invigorating and the pollen for some miraculous reason isnt killing me this year
-I am finishing up my daily unsweet tea/lemonade combo...yummy!!!!
-My college roommate, Ashley, is due this week with her first little one....yet another life God has knit together to be made for His Glory!

It truly is always a great day to be alive!

FYI

All of your suggestions were marvelous for my out of town getaways but I have chosen to stay inside the perimeter due to soaring gas prices. Kidding but partially true. I am on sabatical for the next few the days though. I'll miss you. I will be playing card games, sleeping late, drinking lemonade, splashing in the sprinkler (kind of like the beach) and eating grilled fish (like being at the beach) but George Forman style. This is as good as it gets these days. Real vacation time will take a rain check. I'll be back. Enjoy your weekend and if you are somewhere tropical eat a hush puppy for me and drink a cocktail.
Bon Voyage.

The best Birthday surprise EVER...

And it wasn't even my birthday.
That is how cool my friends are in Atlanta.
One of my dearest friends and basically the other side of my heart - celebrated her big 2-5 yesterday. Luckily, a group of us got to semi-pre-celebrate her birthday and another dear friend, Meredith's birthday, last Friday. That wasn't the official celebration though. Yesterday was the real deal.Of all days to be deathly sick, she was and of all days for my mananger to ask that I complete a 7 hour online course - he did. Needless to say I missed hers and Merediths true birthday celebration lastnight. I was really down as I left the office at 9:20 lastnight. I was glad that I completed some tasks that I had been snoozing in outlook for weeks now and I completed the course for the most part but,really, of all nights?????
Well, that didnt stop Ms. Robin. After her celebration at Treehouse, she and Jenni (the ultimate of party planners) stopped by the Terrace. I was so thrilled just to hug her now 25 year old neck. She and Jenni looked ravishing too....Boys, apply through me - these 2 have got it going on.
Anyway, Jenni and Robin both seemed very anxious about their surprise stop-by. And they should have been for what would ensue......Robin hands me a lovely gift bag and I pull out a heavy round mysterious object wrapped in tissue paper. I am real confused at this point.....Not my birthday and nor was I even a good friend yesterday to deserve any special attention....More so, heavy glass object? What? Robin was about to pee in her pants so I quickly opened the bundle of joy and almost dropped it with excitement once it was unwrapped. Of all prefect gifts I have ever received- this one takes the prize. In my hands sat a mini Sangria pitcher almost mirroring the one we used Friday night at Rosa Mexicana during our fabulous Friday night on the town. This thing is even more perfect than the one I tried to steal Friday night....it has a little more detail and is actually glass not acrylic like at Rosa Mexicana. Do you understand how cool this is???? Robin stumbled upon it in an antiques market and I guess to ensure I didn't embarrass us again by trying to walk away with the restaurants dishes...she purchased the gift for me. I really felt so loved and so blessed lastnight.....First of all,a special pop-by by two of my favorite people and then the rarest of all prizes just for me! On top of that,Robin was so sick yesterday and still came by the Terrace late night. Do you know I spent the last two days googling every type of water pitcher that could be found?

So I got up this morning and went running and the whole run I couldn't wait to get home to pour some milk in my new mini-fabulous-antique-christened by Robin-pitcher. It's the little things you know? You will want to see this thing so either get yourself invited to dinner or cookies and milk at my house or check out the pictures that I will post later.

I heart my new pitcher. I heart Robin and Jenni more. Today is a good day.

Mini obsession

I am head over heels, infatuated, smitten, taken back by, enamored, intoxicated by, flat out in love with Reeces Peanut Butter eggs! Why are these so much better than your standard peanut butter covered cup? Why do they only come around once a year? Why do I dream of them at night and crave them when I am driving? Why did I ban them from my diet for the whole Easter season and now that Peter Cotton Tail has came and went I am rediscovering my affection? What poor timing. Yum yum yum.

This is Carter's fish he caught...I really wanted to catch one but I think I was a little impatient. Do you see him nudging me out of the picture??? I love to fish with worms!(But we had to use stale hotdog buns). 

My favorite Easter cutees post 9am service at Buckhead Church....Robin, Courtney and Jenni. We look like a bunch of died eggs with our colors. I love Spring! 

Yummy 

I cant figure out how to turn the picture around...sorry Jenni. Anyways, Jenni and Courtneys annual bunny cake. He was missing an ear and the bowtie by the end of the night.  

Blogworthy

I prayed for productivity today and I think it is going to happen....therefore, this will be short. It pains me to say that.

Yesterday knocked my socks off. After the most amazing, productive yet perfectly relaxing Saturday - I woke up yesterday literally feeling like a completley new person. I went to church early as my buddy Brad scared me into thinking that I would be sitting in the parking lot if I didnt get there an hour early. He was almost right - the place was packed by 8:25 with 5 extra buildings holding people and their guests for Easter service. By chance, I happened to have the only two seats open at about 8:40 and who would come walking down the aisle but my cousin who I havent seen since Christmas, but more so, havent really sat down and laughed and talked to in years. Because of this time, yesterday started out divine. Service was amazing and Andy Stanley was live (usually, Buckhead church service is a life size screen) which was more of a treat. Also, a friend of mine was baptized and his story, like many peoples, talks of a life of 40 years without God and then in some odd way - it always seems to be the most unlikely of ways - God intervenes and he is now fully filled. I like this idea as most of us probably do....I was reading last week about the fullness of Christ and how we receive the fullness of Him....if you think of what all that embodies it kind of knocks you over.....that fullness is in me! Anyways, after church I headed to Marietta to be with the whole family. Sadly, it has really been since Christmas since this happened. Just being with them for the afternoon yesterday reminded me of how precious my family is to me. I pray for a day when we all live in the same city again and can enjoy eachothers company on a regular basis. Until then, I pray for my efforts to stay connected. We fished, played tennis, cooked dinner together, played ping pong and laughed at eachother like we are so good at doing. When we were fishing I was looking at each of us - Matt (freshman in Med school), Carter (Freshman in college) and Mary Lauren (freshman in highschool) and thought how touching it is as a sister but more so as a parent to see so many years of life that have been created and now those lives are adding to other lives and searching for significance and creating lives of their own. It's kind of neat how after all the crazy teen years and the stresses during my college years with my family in Boston that it all seems to work out. It really does.....and I know we are blessed enormously right now to all be healthy and safe and relatively close. I pray we do not forget how blessed we are on a daily basis. And you know, if tomorrow something were to happen in any way - we are still blessed...That, too, is the beauty of a life filled with Christ. In Him all things hold together and all things work for the good of those who love Him so really we are always blessed despite the circumstances at all times.

Anyway, after lunch I went to my mawmaw's to see my moms side of the family. Mawmwas (my mom's mother's)is really one of my favorite places in Atlanta. I love the natural comeraderie that exists and of course, Mawmaw's yummy goodies that always seem to be around and that no diet can say no to. She has chocolate pound cake yesterday....perfect chocolate pound cake that is....perfectly moist (I hate that word) on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. You should be jealous.

Then the night ended as any Sunday night should....among friends and the porch twinkle lights and David Gray in the background and the windows open and a card game on the porch. Oh....and Jenni and Courtney's annual Bunny cake (see pictures above). I need more nights like this.....

On to productive Monday. Happy post-easter. Peeps are 10 for a quarter today at any grocery store. Don't all run out at once.

PS - I am going somewhere out of town this Wednesday.....what do you think?
-Gulf Shores to be lazy with my grandparents (they dont even know this is an option)
-Short 4 hour drive to Charleston to visit Fran and again, be lazy
-San Francisco....I have a flight reserved through 11pm tonight....just the thought of this invigorates me.
-Athens to play with Charlsie and enjoy a quick-mini-getaway....

Thoughts???

PPS....okay, so this wasnt short.

CLEAN

Everything around me is clean right now. My hair, my room, my car, my briefcase, my receipts in my car, my purse, my belly button, my living room, my porch, my ear's -inside and behind, my yard, my toe nails, my trunk of my car, my closet, the drawers in my rooms, 3 weeks worth of clothing...everything. Even my mood and my thoughts right now. Yes, it is Saturday night and you are probably playing with your significant other or your family be that tomorrow is Easter....nonetheless, I doubt you are sitting as clean and happy as I am.
I didnt see civilization today....well, I didnt interact with it. I woke up early after a fabulous night on the town lastnight with Jenni, Robin, Scott, Mere and Quincy (a few of my favorites). And literally from 7 am unitl 4 mnutes ago - I did not stop today. I did all the things I have been meaning to do for the last year. The stuff that is always on your to do list and never gets crossed off. I really didnt talk to anyone and for the most part my phone didnt ring. Now, the windows are open, the twinkle lights are on, three candles lit, no one home (Katie is on her way), I have a glass of red wine next to me, Keb Mo and Ray lamontagne are playing softly in the background, everything in this room is clean, my entire body - all 2000 lever parts are clean, everything I could imagine doing has been done and I just started a new chapter in my book. Life couldnt be better. In this moment, life really couldnt be better. It is so funny how much my world slowed down today and I think by miracle, I was able to get things done and enjoy doing it and as selfish as it sounds....no one else was needing anything from me. I am happy.
Tomorrow I will get up early to get a seat at the 9am service. Andy Stanley is speaking live and a friend of mine is being baptized. After that I get to go hiking with my daddy for the morning and spend the rest of the day with the whole family. My cup is really overflowing right now. My job is uncertain and finances are shaky but life is good and I am blessed beyond expression. More so, it is Easter weekend and I LOVE Peeps and Cadbury eggs and Whopper eggs and deviled eggs (I think I have a thing for eggs) and the time with my family - everyone will be home! And on top of that, the reason we even really all do that somehow has to do with the pinnacle of who I am. Christ died for me and for you some 2000 years ago and still to this day I experience freesom and I feel alive because of this gift so long ago. How could I do anything but worship in all I do...even in my cleaning and planting and organizing I was thanking Him for the peace that I have within that has nothing to do with anything I have done. How perfect too that it is so quiet tonight and I am so forgotten about and so alone - really? This couldnt be a more perfect way to reflect the Truth that I have just written and allow it to penetrate every part of me.

The fat lady is singing...

It is over. If I have ever been waiting for my soul mate to arrive - she has and in brilliant form. I am so undeserving....

Robin - God knew exactly what he was doing when he threw us together last September.You rock my face off. I praise God right now and daily for Him being so alive and so contageous in you! I heart you!

Betsy's Backyard burgers = bomb.com  

YUMMY!!!! 

See the smoke!!!! See the wine-o! 

Wednesday night Terrace cookout

I left the office around 6:45 today as the sun was in its perfect position for a late-afternoon cookout. I rolled all of my windows down and sang to some old school Tom Petty ( I guess everything Petty is old school) and Dave (how fun to bring out the oldschool jams on awindows-down kinda afternoon!)
A cookout was in the air....I could feel it brewing. Only problem, The Terrace doesnt really have a grille. So I go through a list of boy-grille master- friends and plead for them to partake in a Wednesday cookout with me.....no dice. Out of my 6 options, 4 were out of town and the other two were grille-less. What boy doesnt own a grille? This is only a minor obstacle....Having something to grille was of bigger concern.
I dig in the igloo of mysterious meats that we call the freezer for something that used to have legs for me to put on the grille....whevever I find a grille that is.... And what to my wondering eyes should appear but some turkey burgers stuffed under meal #9 of Katie Shipleys (story to come.....she literally has 18 helpings of hamburger helper in the freezer.) After receiving the last return phonecall from my not-so-boyish, friend-boy who didnt have a grille....I looked sheepishly onto the deck and the sun seemed to shine brilliantly atop the Geroge Forman of all George Forman's - the Forman Outdoor Grille...ahhhhhhhh (that is the choir ofangels singing)

See, Dad got real excited and asked Santa to bring this to me this year for Christmas. One day before work started picking up and everyone was at home playing with Christmas toys, I decided to put this thing together....and I did and since then it has sat. Then, with the party at the Terrace two weeks ago we hid it on the deck. Mind you, it is an electic grille. Needless to say, along with the forgotten trash, we left the grille on the deck for every 1143 counts of pollen to rest and for every dirty drop of rain water to collect (very resourceful we are). This isnt going to stop me from a perfect cookout though,no. I clean off the grille,move it into the living room - literally, put on my shades and cook what may have been the finest turkey burger this side of the Mason Dixon. (I did forget to take out the paper liner that seperates one patty from another. Details.....whatever.)

I tell you no lies and I do not boast to gain any personal attention here but my frozen turkey burger via pollen-covered George Forman was the bomb.com. Who needs boys? Actually, I take that back. I do. It would have been much more enjoyable to drink a beer and watch some other cute thing flip my pattys in my living room. (You have a dirty mind! Stop!)Maybe next Wednesday.....

Kat got a little excited about all the commotion so.... being the pre-birthday-bash-lush that she is, she joined in on the fun (see pictures above). She was a little scared of the finished product and opted for Loco's for dinner. Boo! She knows she missed out though....the beautiful smell of plastic and old meat still lingers in the livingroom.
There is nothing like a little last minute roommate grill-fest right smack in the middle of the dining room. Please see pictures above. Don't be jealous.

The gift that kept giving

I received flowers at my office last week. No details will be disclosed so dont try (For all you know, it was my precious brother????). I was super embarrassed on the day of arrival because I work with a bunch of men and until now I had given them the idea that I have little social/dating life. My manager enjoyed parading the flowers and attached note around the office. Aside from the embarrassment though, the surprise (well,semi-surprise) was fabulous. More so, I did as every good gardener should do and I cut the stems and then watered them and put the flower food in the vase on Friday when I left. At this point, they were nice and the thought in which they were sent was much appreciated. I felt pretty dang special. So flowers=good even if I kind of new about them. Here is the best part though....I leave Friday and come back Monday to a full garden on my desk. I hope the timing of the flowers blooming has nothing to do with moods or something....Last week these flowers were nice but just nice. This week- they are absolutely stunning and everyone that walks by comments on how amazing they are....I just say that I think the gardener and the sender are more amazing! Yep, the flowers will probably die by the end of the week but the impression is lasting. And how great to get to enjoy them for a full week now. Fresh flowers = happy Betsy.

Flowers Day 7 

Post-bathing in the cold water 

Hiking crew this past weekend at Dicks creek. We had to leap and bound the rocks to all make it in the pic before the timer went off.  

FYI

I am comfort eating right now. Everything is coming at me too quickly and I can't process it so I turned to Brusters. I figure I shouls be accountable so there it is. In lieu of thinking of things or finding solutions or actually doing the things I should do I am eating Brusters. recognition is the first step to recovery.
I dont know the long term effects but in the moment - this seems to be the answer.

DRUGS!!!!

I need aderol? I cant focus on a thing this week. I have been leaving work at 2:30 everyday because I feel better leaving and spreading my joy to the world but allowing the work to pile then actually sitting through the hours and trying to tackle the gobs of work I have to do. It is too pretty and April is to enchanting to spend it indoors. More so, I need some time away - my head can not contemplate numbers and the economy anymore... Even the part of my job that I love - the relationships - have started to suffer...All I want to do is talk to my clients about the weather and about warm and fuzzy things like icecream and the beach and the joy and peace that God provides daily. You know, the good stuff. Vacation time is in order - like real time away- not on a mission trip (though I will take that time) and not just an overnight trip with a 1/2 day off.....a real few days away with no phone and good sea food.

Seriously, to delay me getting in trouble - I need drugs! (I hope those of you who dont know me and actually still read this thing know that I am kidding. I think.)
Anyways, any solutions are welcomed and appreciated. Until then, I am going to continue organizing my paperclips.

Melody madness

You know me.....I am obsessed with music. I am moved by music. There is always a song in my head and a soundtrack in the background, no matter the circumstances. Today so far has been the beautiful Monday, start to a new week, early workout but yet some funky feeling in my stomach kind of soundtrack....it is composed of a few meodies to note: Dolly Partons latest; traveling through. A new favorite tune titled So Refreshing (compliments of Brian), a little Coldplay - Green eyes, Super Duper by Joss Stone (this will start any day off fabulously) and of course, Journey -don't stop Believing (for Kat and Catie) and a little Jennifer Knapp - When nothing Satisfies Me. Altogether, and in no particular order or really for no particular meaning - these songs have started off my day whether in the cd player or just in my head. I left one off: Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism. You need to check this one out for yourself. You will find yourself wanting to cuddle in the middle of the day. Enough said.

Anyway, I did a whole heck of alot of driving this weekend and I craved the time with my windows down and the tunes blaring so I could sing as loud as possible and allow the words to embody everything I may have been feeling - or maybe just wanted to feel. Then, there were a few silent drives that were just as harmonious....Especially with the weather this weekend. Silence is when God taps on my heart and beckons me to listen to Him....or to listen to my heart.

So, I thought I would be generous and share a few of my new favorites....(Leah and Ashley, this is for y'all). I can't take credit for all of these...Usually, I tend to think I am pretty cool and discover alot of my own music but portions of this list are comprised with the help of other music-minded friends. This is free.

*As mentioned before, Death Cab for Cutie - Yes, all the rave so I know you know the tunes....Gray's Anatomy and the OC have brought these guys front and center. Transatlanticism as mentioned early. You'll thank me.

*Dolly Parton's latest....you can't go wrong with Dolly

*Van Morrison - at all times and for all reasons the greatest hits album will not fail you. Check out some of the last songs....I think he saved the best for last.

*Okay, I take no credit at all for this one. It is rare that I find someone that I can listen to literally over and over and never tire - this is a new one on that list (list below): Matt Kearney. Lyrics - moving, voice- unique....I am going to owe my referral source years many thanks for years to come as I think this one will be a permanent on the list.
List: (or atleast the ones I can remember)
-Van Morrison
-Keb Mo - Keep it Simple
-Shawn McDonald
-Ray Lamontagne
-Ryan Adams
-Sarah Mclaughlin (B-sides and rarities)
-Vertical Horizon
-David Crowder
-Jack Johnson's first album
-Tricia Yearwood - not kidding
-Madonna's greatest hits
-Matt Kearney - the latest addition

I know I am leaving some off but you get the gist...things that you just cant get rid of and you could listen to over and over and over and it could make your insides turn (in a good way) every single time.

Okay, and a few new ones to check out: KT Tunstall, Charles Kelly (brother to Josh, soulful voice that makes you want to dance), Jamie Lidell - Multiply, Brandi Carlisle (backup voice to Ray Lamontagne....boys, you will melt) and as you all are aware - The Fray.

Enjoy. Share the love back when you get a chance.

I need you so much closer.....

Margin, Masters (kind of ) and mosquitoes

I have heard sermon after sermon on margin. Everyone needs margin in every realm of life. Eventually without it things fall apart. I have had a ton of fun lately almost every single day and I have been working really hard and yes, in the moment, it is all worth it but eventually, as I said.....My body starts telling me in physical ways that I need to slow down. Unfortunately, this may be the theme song for my life. Then all of the sudden in the midst of my busyness - I'll have a freak out moment and get rid of anything and everything that is swallowing my time. I did this last February. I kind of took it to the extreme then and literally pulled out of every possible extra thing including relationships, extra curricular activities and any church functions. I turned to coloring and quiet Friday nights during this time of withdrawal....Anyway, it's back and yet again - I find myself pulling away from anything that requires time. This isn't healthy I agree....I drove up to Alpharetta tonight for a Northpoint church thing with all of my friends. I walked in the door and immediately walked right back out and went home. More so, all week long I have not been able to commit to anything because I am fighting off this internal desire to retreat far far away and just sit quietly. Anyway, I know what is needed and I know if I can slow down long enough - margin will come back. Take no offense if it seems that I have fallen off the face of the earth - I may have but only for a short while.

On other notes....I really like golf tournaments. I like to wear a sundress and I like to watch the golfers and I like that the weather typically seems to be divine for golf watching. Lastweekend my two fabulous roommates and I (we were missing the 4th fabulous roommate) were taken on a perfect date to the Bellsouth classic. It couldn't have been anymore perfect, really. So all week long I got really geared up to go sit on the 6th whole with my Master's guru - Charlsie, drink an azalea and watch the golfers and the golf fans and wanna be golf fans (me included) donned in seer-sucker pants and dresses.....I love going to Augusta with Charlsie and I have been so spoiled by her dear family whenever I get to go. The weekend is truly one of my favorites of the whole year. All week I was really pumped to make the trek on Saturday but then come Thursday I just knew I would have to skip out this year. See paragraph one for explanation. Anyway, though I wasn't 100+ miles east, I did live up the Masters at my friends 2nd annual Masters party. There were green jackets and golf flags in the yard, seer sucker and even pimento cheese sandwiches just like they have at the Nationals. The sun was blaring and the company was fabulous. For not making it to the tournament this year - the back up proved very enjoyable and I didn't have to wait the 2 hours to get out of the parking lot this year. I can't wait to hear Charlsie's Masters stories - there is always at least one that sticks around for years to come.

And on to the mosquito bites that are on my legs.....In lieu of Augusta I did venture to the lake with some of my closest amigos Friday night. I drove up late because I needed the alone time in the car and yes, I got lost maybe 4 times but nonetheless, I made it late Friday and enjoyed a marvelous time away. A few favorite things to note: The perfect fire thanks to Robin, Brian and Tomi. Isn't it amazing that you can sit around and just stare at fire for hours and be perfectly entertained? My hair still smells like smoke and probably will for days but it is comforting and reminds me of the good times and good conversation.
At 4:30 in the morning we were awakened by what Tomi thought was someone flashing a picture. Turns out to be tornados. Just tornadoes....no worries. I LOVE thunderstorms! I LOVE LOVE LOVE thunderstorms. I was so tired my body ached but I could have sat at the window and watched the lightning all night had it continued. Anyway, we woke up Saturday and enjoyed a lazy morning until we decided to drive to Dicks Creek in Dahlonega and go hiking. The drive (despite the car sickness) was beautiful. The boys went to be boys somewhere in the woods so all the girls decided to just start walking. The air was perfect and the creek running right next to us was surreal. I crave times like these with girls.....perfect weather, perfect conversation and no where to be and no time frame.
Needless to say, somehow I am left with quite a few bug bites on my leg but I guess the relaxing weekend was worth a few bites on my legs.

Tomorrow is Monday and I already know this is going to be a busy week. I pray that I can prioritize this week and above all things - find time for myself and time for me just to sit and listen as those are the times that fuel me for the rest of the busy week.

I am craving a pimento cheese sandwich. Charlsie, I hope you enjoyed a few for me!
Night night. My bed sheets are clean- what a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.

Slopes Bar-b-que

I am a girl and I love bar-b-que.
I only like chicken bar-b-que.
I only like it from Slopes.
I like to get it all over my face.
I like the sweet tea mixed with a little lemonade.
I like that there are always boys in Slopes whenever you go.
I like that the lady who takes your order knows your name.
I should know her name.
I like eating bar-b-que on Friday's when I am real hungry.
I like their pickles too.
I would like for you to go to Slopes and take me with you when you go.

Sleep please

I really need to sleep tonight. You would agree if you were sitting here with me. It is 12:37 as I type and in 5 hours precisely I will be arising for an exciting workout in front of about 25 people. Headphone, legwarmers, sweatband and all. If you were here you would look at me and say I am crazy and I should go to bed asap. I cant. I have that wide-eyed, 1015 thoughts through your head at once and I have to be up at the butt-crack kinda feeling and the thought of climbing into my perfect bed with a full head of this mumbo-jumbo isnt comforting at all. It's like swimming on a full belly....you should always wait atleast 30 minutes like your mama told you. I am really craving a big chocolate chip cookie from the Nestle store....isnt it funny how in the odd hours of the night anything and everything becomes justifiable. In that case, I am craving 2 nestle tollhouse cookies with peanut butter and a tall tea/lemonade fromchickfila. I also would really like to do some pilates and de-stress or detox my head from these bombarding thoughts. How is it that I can be so still and thoughtless, literally....just numb and then as if the world would explode if I didnt think my thoughts - they all come rushing back in....fighting for my attention and my sleep time. If you are up and if you feel so inclined, plop down on your knees and just beg that maybe these intrusive thoughts would leave and I could be quiet and at ease again and just go to bed. Until then, I am going to make some chocolate chip cookies and go find my purple legwarmers for my class in the morning....Well - in T-5 hours that is......

Atleast it is Friday! The weekend is calling my name....

PS

Taqueria del sol....shrimp corn chowder.....heaven in a bowl.
Satisfying for hours even past the live experience.

You need to try this stuff. Right now. Go.

At the weirdest hours

Lastnight I came home and decided to hang up clothes and clean my room at 2 in the morning. The last few weeks have been non-stop.....literally, I have to schedule bathroom breaks in the day in order to ensure proper sanitation. There has been absolutely zero margin in my life and as you have probably experienced before, it starts wearing you down....fast. So at 2 in the morning all I wanted to do was clean my room and just sit and literally, not talk to anyone or think about anyone but myself and my utter dependence on God. This time was ordained...that is for sure. You would think after a few weeks of minimal sleep I would be exhausted but at 2 am lastnight I was awake and I was going to learn something in this time.
I have been reading and rereading and rereading again a book called Sermon on the Mount. I have mentioned it before.....the book has been life-changing or perspective-changing for me. The chapter I read yesterday had to do with the Beatitude about hungering for righteousness. "Blesses are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." It's so odd that at the weirdest hours in the day this thought was dropped on me like a ton of bricks. To be honest, I really dont know what it is to hunger for anything or long for anything so badly that it physically hurts you. I guess I have felt that before with psat relationships gone wrong....where you want it so badly that it literally does hurt you to think about it - physically. But that was brief and really silly come to think of it. I guess it served it's purposes though.....
The chapter goes on to read that most people seek fufillment (as we all know) and rarely find it becuase they are seeking just that - happiness. In order to realize true happiness, the beatitude is saying we must hunger or long for righteousness first, happiness is the byproduct. More so, it is a certain byproduct - it says you will be filled. I think my heart knows this and in many ways - I have seen this truth in obvious ways in my life. But in daily living....to literally hunger for righteousness in all I do/think/say/act/believe/etc.....I dont seek righteousness first.
I read until 4 this morning and then got up at 7 for a meeting. So, no, I haven't helped with the margin part of the lesson I need to learn but lastnight was powerful. Hoe greatful I am that He knows when I need Him most and knows how to find time for me - even at 2 in the morning- to just sit and listen.
I am so thankful that He speaks even in the weirdest of hours.

Agghhhh..Just looking at the picture makes my whole body warm. We had the most perfect spot, right in the sun...sipping a lemonade....among the perfection of the day and among the most fabulous friends. Cheers to Sunday at the BellSouth Classic. 

Elated

My weekend was really fabulous. Just like the last but better. When I think they cant get better they do. I am working really hard during the week and God is really blessing me on the weekends and I really dont deserve it at all. I am so thankful though. The weekends have been truly relaxing and rejuvenating and that for me - is a quest in iteself just to try to catch a little R and R.
How can anyone not but think of a beautiful God when the weather is the way it is right now....Yes, I have many things that draw me to bow and recognize the creation that God has made in me but I cant fathom how anyone can walk around last Sunday and not feel loved and embraced by a really large Creator. Everything in earth in it's own splendor really does sing praise to theone who created such splendor. Sunday night the temperature was absolutely perfect and the slight breeze was comforting and kinda scary to think that creation itself could so effect me. I am humbled daily by the brilliance of my environment. As I have said before, Georgia in April is a gift like no other from above and it seems like everyday just when you think creation is at its best it gets a little better.

Enjoy and soak up each day! It'll make everything inside of you feel insync with a Creator that created both the vast clear sky, the smelly bradford pear trees and you and me.


And on other notes.......Easter Candy is out!!!! I am so happy that it is Easter and that Kroger has all of thir Easter candy on sale. Milk chocolate eggs, malt balls and reeces pieces in the long carrot are my fave! Yeah!